Changing Congress is easier said than done

If you feel a sense of frustration over the current state of politics in this country, you obviously are not alone. A new poll out Friday shows that the American public is simply fed up with the elected officials in Washington, D.C., at levels never before seen.

If you look back to the 2010 Congressional elections, the Tea Party-driven momentum flipped more Congressional seats than any time in history.

Some are predicting a similar outcome in November 2014.

I disagree.

Far too many Congressional districts are so safe for the incumbents that nothing could change the outcome.

Because of an obsessive quest for diversity and balance, countless Congressional districts are virtually assured to remain with the same candidate and the same party year in a year out.

Granted, there are exceptions such as the massive change we saw in 2010.

But just take time to examine the map and the outcome shows that only a small percentage of House seats are truly up for grabs.

The Senate races are no different.

So how can we expect much in the way of change if the players remain the same?

Unfortunately, the answer is relatively obvious.

There's a lot of buzz this week about the possible massive shift in Congress come next year's election.

But I suspect much of that is simply wishful thinking.

In other words, regardless of the mess we're in or continue to be in, I am less than optimistic that next year's election will change the dynamics in any substantial way.

So what does that mean?

It means we'll likely continue to go along with a sharply divided nation and Congress.

And if you think - like I do - that we've been in a mess for the past five years, I fear we haven't seen anything yet.

What lies ahead may make the shutdown, etc., look like a picnic.

How's that for an optimistic future?